What began as an exciting three-day cruise from Long Beach to Catalina took a troubling turn for our client. On the first night on the cruise line, she was eager to join her family for a show. As she made her way down a narrow stairwell, the lights suddenly went out, leaving her in complete darkness. She lost her footing and fell down the long flight of stairs.
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Cruise Accident: Holiday Turned Into Nightmare
Shaken and in pain, she was taken to the ship’s medical bay, where a nurse examined her and assured her that she had not suffered any serious injuries. Despite this reassurance, she continued to experience pain throughout the remainder of the cruise, unable to fully enjoy the trip she had been looking forward to and had been saving up for.
Shortly after disembarking, our client reached out to RTM Law after a friend recommended us. Our team of legal experts assessed her situation and, after seeing the element of negligence, determined we could help her pursue compensation for a slip and fall case.
We immediately sent a letter of representation to the cruise ship’s insurance company while collecting the required medical evidence. In response, we received acknowledgment of the cruise accident and an admission of liability within five weeks.
Meanwhile, our client continued to experience excruciating pain in her left knee, and developed concerning numbness in her ankle, foot, and toes. After exhaustive physical examinations, it became evident that she had suffered a serious fracture in her left knee, requiring emergency surgery to insert an intramedullary nail and rod for stabilization. Following the procedure, she was prescribed pain medication and antibiotics to prevent infection, and she began physical therapy to facilitate her recovery.
However, the journey to healing from her cruise accident was fraught with unexpected challenges. Our client developed severe post-surgical complications, including persistent pain, swelling, and nerve damage. These complications left her struggling to walk, and even standing for brief periods became excruciating. To regain her mobility, she had to undergo a second surgery, which unfortunately resulted in a long, visible scar on her leg.
This permanent disfigurement served as a constant reminder of her traumatic experience, affecting her emotional well-being. It led to increased self-consciousness and distress, making it challenging for her to adapt to her new reality.
The effects of her injuries reached far beyond physical and emotional pain. The nerve damage and ongoing discomfort severely impaired her ability to work, ultimately leading to the loss of her job.
From $120K to a $500K Cruise Ship Accident Settlement
After compiling extensive medical records and thoroughly documenting the full scope of our client’s injuries, pain and suffering, and lost wages, our personal injury lawyers submitted a demand letter to the cruise ship’s insurance company. Their initial cruise ship accident settlement offer of $120,000 failed to account for the serious, lasting complications our client endured.
Given the severity of her situation, we advised her to reject the initial $120,000 offer. We then provided a detailed breakdown of her medical condition, the surgeries, the emotional toll of her permanent disfigurement, and the financial burden from her job loss. This convinced the insurance company to increase their offer to $260,000, but we continued to advocate for the full extent of her losses.
Through ongoing negotiations, we were able to secure a final cruise ship accident settlement of $500,000 for her injury case. This ensured that she was fairly compensated for her medical costs, lost income, ongoing pain, emotional suffering, and permanent disfigurement.
Hurt While Onboard a Cruise? Call Our Personal Injury Law Firm for a Free Consultation.
Need legal advice after being injured through no fault of your own? RTM Law, APC Personal Injury Attorney is here to help! We are passionate about advocating for our clients and ensuring they receive the compensation they deserve. Call our accident and injury team today, and let us guide you through the process of filing a claim or a lawsuit.
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Do you need compassionate support and effective representation?
No fees until we win. Available 24/7.
